Peer Relationships and Ethnic Identity Achievement of

African American Adolescents

Jennifer Haynes, B.A.a Jill Antonishak, Ph.D.a

Felicia Smith, Ph.D.b Joseph P. Allen, Ph.D.a

aUniversity of VirginiabUniversity of Louisville

Abstract

The development of ethnic identity and method of relating to other ethnic groups is an important process in adolescence. Research has shown that ethnic identity is particularly salient for African American adolescents and may be associated with both positive and negative academic and social outcomes. However, there is very little research examining perceptions of peer pressure and social acceptance in the context of ethnic identity. The current study examines how sense of ethnic belonging and orientation toward other ethnic groups is related to changes in perceived social acceptance and pressure.

Introduction: Ethnic Identity and African American Adolescents

Ethnic identity can be defined as the conceptualization of an individual’s unique ethnic, cultural and historical attributes.

Adolescence represents a critical period for the development of a personal definition of ethnicity.

This process occurs at the same time that adolescents develop strategies for interacting with and perceiving other ethnic groups (Phinney, 1992).

Introduction: Unique Characteristics of African American Adolescent Peer Groups

African American adolescents generally prefer same race friends (Hamm, 2000; Fletcher, Rollins, and Nickerson, 2004)

Cross-race friendships are generally less intimate and stable over time (Hamm, 2000; Aboud, Mendelson and Purdy, 2003)

However, multiculturalism (relating positively to individuals from various ethnic/ cultural groups) is a coping strategy more strongly endorsed by African American adolescents as compared to White adolescents (Hamm and Coleman, 2001).

Research Questions

While the characteristics and influences of African American adolescent peer groups has been researched, there is a gap in the research related to: The role of ethnic belonging outcomes associated

with perceptions of peer pressure and social acceptance

The role of orientation towards other ethnic groups on changes in the perceptions of peer pressure and feelings of social acceptance.

Research Questions

Question #1: Is orientation toward other ethnic groups related

to changes in perceived social acceptance from age 13 to age 15?

Question #2: How does orientation towards ethnic groups and

sense of ethnic belonging related to changes in perceived peer pressure from age 13 to age 15?

Method

Participants

This study examined a sample of 45 African American target adolescents and their peers from a larger sample of participants. Subjects were interviewed at two time points approximately two years apart (mean age: time 1=13.33; 41.1% male, 58.9% female). The median family income was $25,000, with a range from $5,000 to $60,000.

Measures

Measures Ethnic identity achievement was measured using two

subscales of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM; Phinney, 1992); Other Group Orientation (target teen’s orientation towards people who are not of the same ethnicity) and Affirmation & Belonging (comfort level with his/her ethnic group).

Social Acceptance was measured using the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (Harter, 1988).

Perceptions of Peer Pressure were measured using a Harter-type questionnaire.

Results

β ΔR2 Total R2

Step 1. Social Acceptance at Age 13

.36** .13** .13**

Step 2. Gender -.24 .07 .20** Income .10 Step 3. Ethnic Other Group Orientation

.41*** .16*** .37***

Table 1. Ethnic Other Group Orientation Predicting Feelings of Social Acceptance at age 15

Note: *p <.05, ** p<.01, *** p<.001, β are at model entry

ResultsTable 2. Ethnic Other Group Orientation Predicting Perceptions of Peer Pressure at age 15

Note: *p <.05, ** p<.01, *** p<.001, β are at model entry

β ΔR2 Total R2 Step 1. Perception of Pressure at Age 13

.55*** .30*** .30***

Step 2. Gender .17 .03 .33*** Income -.03 Step 3. Ethnic Other Group Orientation

.32*** .10*** .38***

ResultsTable 3. Ethnic Belonging Predicting Perceptions of Peer Pressure at age 15

Note: *p <.05, ** p<.01, *** p<.001, β are at model entry

β ΔR2 Total R2 Step 1. Perception of Pressure at Age 13

.55*** .30*** .30***

Step 2. Gender .17 .03 .33*** Income -.03 Step 3. Ethnic Belonging

.31* .09* .42***

Results

Is orientation toward other ethnic groups related to changes in perceived social acceptance from age 13 to age 15? Orientation toward other ethnic groups is

related to increases in perceived social acceptance over time.

This increase suggests that adolescents who utilize a multicultural strategy to relate to peers may be more accepted by their peers.

Results

Are either orientation toward other ethnic groups OR sense of ethnic belonging related to changes in perceived peer pressure from age 13 to age 15? Both orientation toward other ethnic groups AND

sense of ethnic belonging are related to increases in perceived peer pressure over time.

This finding suggests that African American adolescents who attempt to engage and interact within multiple cultural groups may feel pressure to conform to more social norms.

Discussion

The development of a sense of ethnic affirmation and belonging and a pluralistic view of ethnicity may create a ‘double-edged sword’ within peer relationships.

Interacting and engaging with other ethnic groups while maintaining a sense of belonging to one's own ethnic group are both potential sources of peer pressure. African American teens feel pressure to conform to social norms of multiculturalism while at the same time are pressured socially to maintain ties to their own group.

References Aboud, F., Mendelson, M. and K. Purdy. (2003). Cross-race peer

relations and friendship quality. Journal of Behavioral Development, 27(2), 165-173.

Hamm, J. (2000). Do birds of a feather flock together?: The variable bases for African American, Asian American and European American adolescents selection of similar friends. Developmental Psychology,36(2), 209-219.

Hamm, J. & Coleman, H. (2001). African American and White adolescents’ strategies for managing cultural diversity in predominately white high schools. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 30(3), 281-305.

Harter, S. (1988). Manual for the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents. Unpublished manuscript. University of Denver.

Phinney, J. (1992). The multigroup ethnic identity measure: A new scale for use with diverse groups. Journal of Adolescent Research, 7(2), 156-176.

Shrum, W., Cheek, N. and S. Hunter. (1988). Friendship in school: Gender and racial homophily. Sociology of Education, 61(4), 227-239.

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge support provided by the National Institute of Mental Health (Grant # R01 MH58066) to Joseph P. Allen, Principal Investigator.

Copies of this poster are available at:

www.teenresearch.org

Collaborators:Joanna Chango Amanda Hare Katherine Little

Christy McFarland Kathleen McElhaney Nell Manning

Jessica Meyer Erin Miga Claire Stephenson

L. Wrenn Thompson